Combination hand case



y 1967 w. N. SMITH 3,319,744

COMBINATION HAND CASE Filed April 8, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. W. Norman Smith ATTORNEYS May 16, 1967 Filed April 8, 1965 W. N. SMITH COMBINATION HAND CASE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. W. Norman Smith ATTORNEYS May 16, 1967 w. N. SMITH COMBINATION HAND UASE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 8, 1965 33" -48 Fig. I3

Fig. I4

INVENTOR. W. Norman Smith ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,319,744 COMBINATIQN HAND EASE William Norman Smith, 1815 Park Ave., Laramie, Wyo. 82070 Filed Apr. 8, 1965, Ser. No. 446,535 8 Claims. (Cl. 19(l52) This invention relates to hand cases, and more particularly to combination hand cases having individualized sections, one object of the invention being to provide a novel and improved combination hand case which combines separable, individualized sections for selective uses. As such, the invention will be called a combination hand case and the sections will be referred to as a primary section and a companion section.

There exists the need for a better, more versatile hand case for businessmen on overnight trips, or on trips of only a few days duration, where the amount of personal items required is a minimum. With extensive air travel, it is a common practice for a businessman to take an overnight trip, or a trip of only a few days, even though he may actually travel a great distance, as from Los Angeles to New York, to take care of the business matter and then return a day or so later. During such a trip, it is desirable to make efiicient use of all of the time available, and one outstanding undesirable source of time delay in such a trip consists in checking out and picking up baggage at the airline terminals.

It is a common practice for a businessman to carry his important papers on his person, and comparativelysmall, neatly-formed hand cases are available for this purpose. Recognizing that the amount of personal items may be quite limited on a short trip, the present invention was conceived and developed to provide a combination hand case for both business and personal items. This case includes a primary section which is a slight modification of a conventional hand case for holding business papers, and a companion section associated with the primary section adequate for holding personal items needed for an overnight trip, or for a trip of only a few days duration. Such a combination case may be carried personally by the passenger as during a flight, and the timewasting chore of checkingand checking-out at terminal stations is completely eliminated.

Accordingly, another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved combination hand case consisting of two separable, individualized sections which are adapted to be joined together as a single, compact unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved combination hand case formed as two interengageable sections, which is especially adapted for use on short business trips and permits the traveler to carry his business papers in one section and his personal belongings in the other section.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved combination hand case formed as two individual sections which are easily interconnected to form a compact unit, and which may be as easily separated to provide individual hand case sections, as when a traveler wants to leave one section containing his personal effects in a hotel room and take the other section with him, as during a business call.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved combination case formed as two individual sections which are adapted to be quickly and easily secured together as a single, compact unit and quickly and easily separated to provide individual cases and yet, which will not be accidentally separated, as by rough handling or the like whenever they are interconnected.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and simplified arrangement for interconnecting the sections of a combination hand case.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a novel and improved combination hand case which is a simple, easily-manufactured, neat-appearing, low-cost, rugged and durable unit.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, all of which more fully hereinafter appear, my invention comprises certain construction, combinations and arrangements of parts and elements as hereinafter described, defined in the appended claims and illustrated in preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the combination hand case looking at an end of the case, showing the sections as being interengaged.

FIGURE 2 is an end elevational view of the case, but with the two sections being separated.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the case with the sections interengaged, looking towards the top of the case.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the case with the sections interengaged, looking towards the underside of the case.

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of the inner face of the companion section, as taken from the indicated line 5 5 at FIG. 2.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary isometric view at an upper corner of the two sections, as taken from the indicated arrow 6 at FIG. 1, but on an enlarged scale and with the two sections being separated to show the upper locking arrangement thereof.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional portion of the case as taken from the indicated line 77 at FIG. 1, but on an enlarged scale.

FIGURES 8, 9 and 10 are fragmentary sectional portions as taken from the respective indicated lines 88, 99 and 10-40 at FIG. 4, but on an enlarged scale.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary portion of the showing at FIG. 9, but on a further enlarged scale and illustrating in broken lines the movement of a locking element which occurs when the sections are being interengaged.

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary portion, similar to FIG. 11, but showing a positioning of the sections which they must assume when they are being separated.

FIGURE 13 is a diagrammatic, end elevational view of the two sections spaced apart, similar to FIG. 2 but on a reduced scale, in a proper position for interengagement.

FIGURE 14 is a diagrammatic view, similar to FIG. 13, but wit-h the sections being interconnected.

FIGURE 15 is a diagrammatic view, similar to FIG. 14, but showing the manner in which the sections are swung apart to separate them.

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary sectional detail, similar to FIG. 11, but showing an alternate construction of the interconnecting components.

FIGURE 17 is an isometric, exploded view of the interconnecting components shown at FIG. 16..

FIGURE 18 is a fragmentary sectional detail, similar to FIG. 11, but showing another alternate construction of the interconnecting components.

FIGURE 19 is an isometric, exploded view of the interconnecting components shown at FIG. 18.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the combination hand case is formed as two individual, separable sections, a primary section P and a companion section C. These sections are adapted to be carried as a unit when they are connected together side-by-side, or they may be separated and carried individually.

The primary section P is formed similar to a conventional, fiat, rectangular hand case, and is preferably of a type which is comparatively narrow and is commonly used for carrying business papers. It is formed as two abutting, opposing half sections which will be designated as an outer half and an inner half 21. These half sections are similar in form except that the inner half 21 is modified to connect with the companion section C, as will be explained.

Each half includes a flat, rectangular sidewall 22 bounded by an edge flange which extends about the edges of the wall 22 to form the ends, top and bottom of the half. The outer half edge flange 23 is of a conventional construction and the inner half edge flange 24 is modified to provide a rabbet-like inset 25 about its juncture with its wall 22 to receive the edge of the companion section C when the sections are connected together. Each edge flange 23 and 24 extend inwardly from its wall 22 to abut with the other flange, and these abutting ends are trimmed with interlocking, reinforcing strips 26 and 27 respectively.

The halves 20 and 21 are held together at their bottom edge by a pair of spaced hinges 28 about which they swing when the case is opened and shut. The case is held shut by a pair of conventional toggle latches 29 spaced apart on the top edge of the case opposite the hinges. A conventional handle 30 is located upon the edge flange 24 at the center of the top portion and a lock 31 is located on the top of the case adjacent to the handle. The unit also includes pairs of support pads 32 and 33 which are aflixed to the underside of each half 20 and 21 respectively, with the pads being adjacent to the hinges 28. The support pads 32 are conventional, but the pads- 33 are modified to facilitate connection with the companion case C, as will be explained. The unit is completed by a means adapted to hold the companion section C in position, and this includes a pair of studs 34 at its top edge adjacent to the toggle latches 29, a recess 35 in the outer face of each support pad 33 and a latch member 36 within the recess 35.

The companion section C is formed as a rectangular, box-like member 40 which is of the same general size as one of the primary section halves, although its depth may be increased to increase the capacity of the unit. As such, this member 40 consists of a flat, rectangular sidewall 41 having a flange 42 which extends abOut the edges of the sidewall 41 to form the ends, top and bottom of the member. The outward edge 42' of the flange 42 is adapted to snugly fit over the offset 25 on the inner half 21 of the primary section, as in the manner clearly illustrated at FIGS. 7 and 8. For this reason, the member 40 of section C is enclosed by an inner wall 43 near the edge 42', offset inwardly from that edge a distance sufficient to provide for clearance when the two sections P and C are together. The wall 43 will not be exposed when the two sections are together during travel and, accordingly, it may be of a pliable, leather-like material and conveniently opened by a zipper 44, as illustrated at FIG. 5.

The companion section C is fastened to the primary section P by first fitting the edge 42' into the rabbeted offset 25 and at the same time securing an improved locking means at the bottom edge of the sections. Next, the top of the sections are secured by a pair of toggle latches 45 at the top edge of the section C which engage with the studs 34 of the primary section. This companion case- C also includes a handle 46 at its top which is preferably flexible and is longer and narrower than the handle 30 of the primary section so that it may be threaded through the handle 30 to serve as a single handle, as in the manner illustrated at FIGS. 1 and 3.

The companion section C also includes a pair of spaced support pads 47 which extend transversely across the bottom of the section at positions opposite to the offset portions of the support pads 33 on the inner half 21 of the primary section. A latch 48 outstands from the side of each pad 47 and is adapted to move into the socket 35 to engage the latch 36 therein, as in the manner illustrated at FIGS. 9 and 11. It is contemplated that the two sections may be moved directly together to effect this latching action, as in the manner illustrated at FIG. 13. It is further contemplated that the separation of the latches 36 and 48 to separate the sections must follow the operation of swinging the sections apart, as in the manner illustrated at FIG. 15. A latch thus arranged for interconnection and disconnection provides for a substantially foolproof case arrangement, for the sections will not accidentally fly apart at the bottom when they are fastened together at the top by the toggles 45.

The structure and operation of the latch members 36 and 48, generally illustrated at FIGS. 9 and 10, is illustrated in further detail at FIGS. 11 and 12. The latch 36 is a flat spring member which has one end embedded within the support pad 33 and the other end cantilevered into the socket 35. This socket is somewhat wider than the width of the spring and in section provides a downwardly sloping bottom surface 35a to permit the end of the latch to be depressed from its normal position. Also, an enlargement 35b is provided at the upper side of the latch to receive the extended end of the other mating latch 48. The latch 36 itself may be anchored in the pad 33 in any suitable manner. It is illustrated as being formed with an upturned foot portion 37 which is embedded into the pad itself. The outward end terminates as an upturned hook 38 having a rounded outer end. This end of the hook is positioned adjacent to the opening of the socket 35.

The latch 48 is a flat spring member, similar to latch 36, although it is longer and may be of heavier material. The latch 48 may be anchored in the pad 47 in any suitable manner and it is illustrated as having an upturned foot 49 which is embedded in the support pad 47. The opposite end of the latch 48 outstands from the pad, and this outer end terminates as a downturned hook 50 of the same size and of the same form as the hook 38 of latch 36.

The two latch members 36 and 48 are adapted to interengage when the primary section and the companion section of the case are properly moved together, with the curved end portions of the latches causing a flexing apart as the hook 50 moves over hook 38, as in the manner illustrated at FIG. 11 in broken lines. When properly engaged, the downturned hook 50 of latch member 48 overlies the end of the latch 36 and interengages with the upturned hook 38, as in the manner clearly illustrated at FIG. 11. The contacting faces 38a and 50a of the two hooks are substantially normal to the plane of the latch surfaces and once engaged, they cannot be pulled apart because lateral, offsetting movements are prevented by the socket-like engagement of the edge of flange 42 of the companion section over the offset 25 at the side of the primary section.

It is to be noted, however, that the latch 48 may be easily separated from the latch 36 by downward rotation, with the contacting ends of the latches forming an axis of rotation. Such simply effects a turning-off of the hook 50 from the book 38 to separate the latches, as in the manner clearly illustrated at FIG. 12. Such movement is easily accomplished, as illustrated at FIG. 15. In separating the two sections P and C after they are connected together, the handle 46 is first separated from handle 30. Next, the toggle latches 45 are disconnected from the studs 34 at the top of the primary section, and the sections are then simply swung apart about the hinge formed by the contacting ends of the latches 36 and 48,

Several variations of the latch structure are possible where it may be desirable to secure the latch members to the bottom flanges of the sections of the combination hand case, rather than to embed the latches in the support pads. In the construction illustrated at FIGS. 16 and 17, a flat spring plate 60 is attached to be underside of the edge flange 24' of the inner half 21' of the primary section P. An inner portion 61 of this plate 60 includes a pair of connective orifices 62 which permit it to be secured to the bottom portion of the edge flange 24 as by rivets 63. An intermediate offsetting portion 64 offsets the outward portion 65 of the plate 60 to a plane which is parallel to the underside of the edge flange 24', but is spaced at a distance sufficiently below the undersurface of the edge flange 24' to provide clearance for receiving a hook member of an opposing latch. This outer connecting section 65 includes .a rectangular socket 66 for receiving the hook of such an opposing latch.

The opposing latch 67 for the companion section C is formed as a narrower, and preferably a thicker and more rigid member having an inner portion 68 which includes a pair of connective orifices 69 which permit it to be secured to the bottom flange 41' of the companion section C as by rivets 63. This latch member 67 also includes an intermediate offsetting section 70 to offset a connecting section 71 a short distance. The connecting section 71 terminates as a downturned hook 72 having a sloping edge 73 at its undersurface.

These two latch members 60 and 67 are preferably located within sockets 35 and 74 of support pads 33 and 48 of the respective primary and companion sections. The sockets do not hold the members, but merely provide clearance space'to permit the members to be within the pads where they are less accessible and better protected. The latch members are proportioned so that the hook 72 lies in the socket 66. Also, when the sections are moved together as when they are being interconnected, the sloping underside 72 of the hook causes the two members to flex apart to effect such interconnection. Finally, whenever Separation of the sections is desired, the two sections are rotated apart about an axis formed by the hinging action of the book 72 within the socket 66 to a point where the hook is rotated out of the socket, as heretofore described.

A further modification is illustrated at FIGS. 18 and 19, wherein a flat spring plate 60" is attached to the underside of a primary section P". The plate 60 includes an inner portion 61" having orifices 62" which permit it to be secured to the flange 24" by rivets 63". An intermediate offset portion 64" offsets the outward portion 65 to a surface below the undersurface of the edge flange 24". The outward end of the outer portion 65" terminates, however, as an upturned hook 75 having a curved leading end, similar to the hook 38 heretofore described.

The opposing latch 67" on the companion section C" is formed as a flat, plate-like member of substantially the same width as the plate 60". A pair of connective orifices 69" at the inner end of the plate 60" permit it to be secured to the flange 42" by rivets 63". The outer end of the latch 67" is formed as a curved, downturned hook 76, similar to hook 50 heretofore described.

These two latch members 60" and 67" are preferably located within sockets 35 and 74" of support pads 33 and 48" of the respective primary and companion sections. It is to be noted that the latch member 67" is held firmly against the undersurface of the edge flange 42" of the companion section with only a short end portion rojecting therefrom. This arrangement can be used on cases without support pads of the type described, but it is especially suitable for cases having comparatively small support pads. Its operation and use is substantially the same as that heretofore described.

While I have now described my invention in considerable detail, it is obvious that others skilled in the art can build and devise alternate and equivalent constructions which are nevertheless within the spirit and scope of my invention; hence, I desire that my protection be limited not by the constructions illustrated and described, but only by the proper scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A combination hand case including a primary section formed as a flat, box-like unit having two opposing cup-like portions hingedly connected together and a companion section formed as a flat, box-like unit having a single cup-like portion open at one side and being substantially the same side-size as the primary section and including in combination therewith: (a) a rabbeted edge on a side face of the primary section adapted to fit within the open side of the companion section when the two sections are placed together side by side; (b) a first locking means at the top of the sections including a stud on one section and a latch on the other section adapted to hook onto the stud and pull the sections tightly together as the latch is closed; (c) a second locking means at the bottom of the sections including a flat latch having an upturned hook on one section and a flat latch having a downturned hook on the other section and being adapted to overlay the first when the latches are interconnected and at least one of the latches being resilient to permit vertical movement of one hook portion as the sections are moved together with the rabbeted edge of the primary section moving into the open side of the section.

2. A combination hand case including a primary section formed as a flat, box-like membed and a companion section formed as a similar flat, box-like, shell member including a removable wall portion within the shell of the companion section which is inset a short distance from the open side edges thereof, said companion section being of the same side size and being adapted to snugly fit against the primary section when the two sections are placed together side by side and comprising in combination therewith: (a) a first locking means at the top edges of the sections adapted to interconnect the top of the sections together; (b) a second locking means at the bottom edges of the sections adapted to connect the bottom edges of the sections together; and wherein the primary section is formed with a rabbeted edge on a side face and the companion section is formed as a cup-like shell having an outward edge about the ends, top and bottom thereof adapted to nest over the rabbeted edge when the sections are moved together to a side-by-side position.

3. A combination hand case including a primary section for-med as a flat, box-like member and a companion section formed as a similar flat, box-like member of the same side size and being adapted to snugly fit against the primary section when the two sections are placed together side by side and comprising in combination therewith: (a) a first locking means at the top edges of the sections adapted to interconnect the top of the sections together; (b) a second locking means at the bottom edges of the sections adapted to connect the bottom edges of the sections together; and wherein the second said lock means includes a flat latch member on one section having a downturned hook and a flat latch member on the other section having an upturned hook, with the hooks on the opposing latches being adapted to be interengaged when the sections are moved together to a side-by-side position and with at least one latch being resilient and being adapted to be deflected vertically to move past the other when the sections are moved together.

4. A combination hand case including a primary section formed as a flat, box-like member and a companion section formed as a similar flat, box-like member of the same side size and being adapted to snugly fit against the primary section when the two sections are placed together side by side and comprising in combination therewith: (a) a first locking means at the top edges of the sections adapted to interconnect the top of the sections together; (b) a second locking means at the bottom edges of the sections adapted to connect the bottom edges of the sections together; and wherein the primary section is formed with a rabbeted edge on a side face and the companion section is formed as a cup-like shell having an outward edge about the ends, top and bottom thereof adapted to nest over the rabbeted edge when the sections are moved together to a side-by-side position, and wherein the second said lock means includes a flat latch member on one section having a downturned hook and a flat latch member on the other section having an upturned hook, with the hooks on the opposing latches being adapted to be interengaged when the sections are moved together to a side-by-side position and with at least one latch being resilient and being adapted to be deflected vertically to move past the other when the sections are moved together.

5. A combination hand case including a primary section formed as a flat, box-like member and a companion section formed as a similar fiat, box-like member of the same side size and being adapted to snugly fit against the primary section when the two sections are placed together side by side and comprising in combination therewith: (a) a first locking means at the top edges of the sections adapted to interconnect the top of the sections together; (b) a second locking means at the bottom edges of the sections adapted to connect the bottom edges of the sections together; and wherein each section has a support pad at its bottom edge, and the support pad of one section includes a socket within the pad, and the second said locking means includes a first latch within said socket and a second latch on the opposite member outstanding from the wall of the member and being adapted to be inserted into the socket when the sections are moved together to a side-by-side position.

6. In the organization set forth in claim 5, wherein the latch within the socket is formed as a resilient member and is to be flexed when the second said latch is inserted into the socket to thereby permit the portions of the latches to be hooked together.

7. In the organization set forth in claim 5, wherein the latch within the socket is formed as a flat, resilient member having an upturned hook, and wherein the other latch is formed as a flat member having a downturned hook with a rounded head thereof, and wherein the socket portion above the hook of the first said latch is adapted to fit the second said hook with a comparatively snug fit, whereby the first said latch must be deflected downwardly when the latches are interengaged and must be deflected downwardly when the latches are being disconnected.

8. In the organization set forth in claim 5, wherein the latch within the socket is formed as a flat, resilient member having an upturned hook, and wherein the other latch is formed as a fiat member having a downturned hook with a rounded head thereon, and wherein the socket portion above the hook of the first said latch is adapted to fit the second said hook with a comparatively snug fit, whereby the first said latch must be deflected downwardly when the latches are interengaged and must be deflected downwardly when the latches are being disconnected, and wherein the two sections have to be rotated about an axis at the latch interconnection as from a closed position to an open angular position to permit the hook of the second said latch to turn out of the hook of the first latch and effect separation of the members.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,101,357 6/1914 Thompson 190-21 1,149,266 8/1915 Johnson 19021 1,827,319 10/1931 Komenak 73 2,859,996 11/195 8 Atkinson 7074 3,008,320 11/1961 Cheney 7074 3,061,057 10/ 1962 Miller -44 FOREIGN PATENTS 621,924 4/ 1949 Great Britain.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, GEORGE O. RALSTON,

Examiners.

D. F. NORTON, Assistant Examiner. 

2. A COMBINATION HAND CASE INCLUDING A PRIMARY SECTION FORMED AS A FLAT, BOX-LIKE MEMBED AND A COMPANION SECTION FORMED AS A SIMILAR FLAT, BOX-LIKE, SHELL MEMBER INCLUDING A REMOVABLE WALL PORTION WITHIN THE SHELL OF THE COMPANION SECTION WHICH IS INSET A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE OPEN SIDE EDGES THEREOF, SAID COMPANION SECTION BEING OF THE SAME SIDE SIZE AND BEING ADAPTED TO SNUGLY FIT AGAINST THE PRIMARY SECTION WHEN THE TWO SECTIONS ARE PLACED TOGETHER SIDE BY SIDE AND COMPRISING IN COMBINATION THEREWITH: (A) A FIRST LOCKING MEANS AT THE TOP EDGES OF THE SECTIONS ADAPTED TO INTERCONNECT THE TOP OF THE SECTIONS TOGETHER; (B) A SECOND LOCKING MEANS AT THE BOTTOM EDGES OF THE SECTIONS ADAPTED TO CONNECT THE BOTTOM EDGES OF THE SECTIONS TOGETHER; AND WHEREIN THE PRIMARY SECTION IS FORMED WITH A RABBETED EDGE ON A SIDE FACE AND THE COMPANION SECTION IS FORMED AS A CUP-LIKE SHELL HAVING AN OUTWARD EDGE ABOUT THE ENDS, TOP AND BOTTOM THEREOF ADAPTED TO NEST OVER THE RABBETED EDGE WHEN THE SECTIONS ARE MOVED TOGETHER TO A SIDE-BY-SIDE POSITION. 